Yard Burning Guide Policy
Policy 94-01

THE BURN SEASON WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE BRANCIFORTE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT IS DECEMBER 1ST THROUGH APRIL 30TH ONLY. BURNING OUT OF SEASON MAY RESULT IN A CITATION AND YOU MAY BE LIABLE FOR ALL SUPPRESSION COSTS.

Beginning December 1st, open yard burning is to be permitted for one or two-family dwellings. During this time period, residents can burn brush and yard trimmings when the material is clean and dry ONLY. The burn season will end on April 30th. The Branciforte Fire Protection District requires a yearly permit for this type of burning. No burning permitted before 8:00am or after 4:00pm.

No garbage can be burned. Backyard burning is allowed only on permissive burn days when weather conditions will allow the quick dispersion of smoke.

Open burning shall be conducted only on days designated as BURN DAYS by the “Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District”. To determine the current burn day status and burn day information, call 1-800-225-2876 after 4:00pm on the day before or the day you wish to burn (our area is referred to as “Santa Cruz County” on the recording). Legal burn days are broadcasted over local radio stations.

Burning shall be permitted subject to the following conditions:

1. Only yard trimmings and brush origination on the premises of one or two-family dwellings may be burned.
2. The material shall be arranged in small piles to facilitate burning and shall be free of waste material such as tires, rubbish, tar paper, plastic, poison oak, construction materials and household garbage, etc.
3. The use of any combustible and/or flammable liquid as starting fuels is expressly prohibited.
4. Open burning shall be performed when the time and atmospheric conditions comply with the limits set forth by the Monterey Bay United Air Pollution Control District.
5. All open burning shall be conducted at a distance of more than 25 feet from any building or structure.
6. A garden hose with a water supply shall be available near the area where the burning is done, and a competent person shall be in attendance at all times until the fire has been extinguished. All fires must be completely extinguished at the end of the burn day.
7. All Burning In An Incinerator Is Prohibited.

This information in no way relieves your responsibilities to neighboring properties and to burn in the prescribed manner. No person shall allow a fire kindled or attended by them to escape their control. Failure to burn within the requirement of the law may result in a citation and you may be liable for all suppression costs.

AIR POLLUTION DISTRICT REQUIRMENTS:
The Monterey Bay Air Pollution Control District has adopted certain requirements that must be followed during open burning. You must comply with the following requirements in addition to those found in the Uniform Fire Code.

BURNING CAUSES AIR POLLUTION. To minimize air pollution:

1. You may burn on “permissive burn” days only.
2. You may not burn on “no burn” days
3. You can inquire about the burn status each day by calling 1-800-225-2876
4. Brush and trimmings from the property around a single or two-family dwelling may be burned on the property only.
5. No burning shall take place if there has been a quarter inch of rain in the past 72 hours.
6. Material to be burned must be well dried.
-Green cuttings (flowers,etc.) – 10 days
-Brush and branches two inches in diameter – 30 days
- Trees and branches over two inches in diameter – 60 days
7. Burning of poison oak is prohibited.
8. Material to be burned must be arranged in piles to minimize smoke production. Generally, this means that piles must be small enough to allow for adequate air supply to prevent smoldering and poor combustion.

NO burning will be allowed if the smoke impacts neighbors or creates a public nuisance.

These requirements are enforced by the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District and you may be charged a fine for violations.

If you have any questions about whether or not your proposed burn complies with these requirements, please don’t hesitate to call the Monterey Bay Unifies Air Pollution Control District – Enforcement Division at (408) 647-9411 or the Branciforte Fire Protection District at (831) 423-8856.

NOTE: Be aware of the weather; check wind condition and fuel flammability. Don’t burn on windy days……..

BE AWARE THAT IF A CONTROLLED OPEN BURN GETS AWAY FROM YOU, YOU COULD BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES AND SUPPRESSION COSTS THAT ARE INCURRED.

PLEASE CONTACT THE BRANCIFORTE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT AND LET US KNOW THAT YOU’LL BE BURNING ON THE DAY OF YOUR CONTROLLED BURN. THANK YOU!